Green Fleet

Vermont Begins Plug-in Hybrid Pilot Program

April 19, 2013
• by Staff

Vermont's Governor Peter Shumlin drove the new Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid that's part of the State's new pilot program. Photo courtesy State of Vermont.

The State of Vermont has begun a plug-in hybrid pilot program. The State purchased a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and plans to operate it in the Department of Buildings & General Services Fleet Management Services (FMS) motor pool program.

The State said it intends to collect real-time data on fuel consumption, tailpipe emission reductions, and overall vehicle performance as a first step in incorporating electric vehicle and charging infrastructure into the State’s fleet.

The State noted there are already close to 250 electric vehicles registered in Vermont and 18 operational publicly accessible charging stations. Seven more charging stations are slated to become operational in the next six months, according to the State, and several more installations are planned.

Vermont’s Governor Peter Shumlin announced the pilot and drove the vehicle at a Drive Electric Vermont event.

The new vehicles will annually consume approximately 36.8 million gallons of clean propane autogas, and many will be displacing fuels with higher emissions like gasoline and diesel, according to the Propane Education & Research Council.